Graduate Women in Science (GWIS), formerly known as Sigma Delta Epsilon Graduate Women in Science (SDE-GWIS), is an international organization for women in
science
Science is a systematic endeavor that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.
Science may be as old as the human species, and some of the earliest archeological evidence for ...
, first established in 1921 at
Cornell University
Cornell University is a private statutory land-grant research university based in Ithaca, New York. It is a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, Cornell was founded with the intention to teach an ...
in
Ithaca, New York
Ithaca is a city in the Finger Lakes region of New York, United States. Situated on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is the seat of Tompkins County and the largest community in the Ithaca metropolitan statistical area. It is named a ...
, United States. The organization currently has over 1,000 members and dozens of chapters spread across the United States as well as an international chapter that was established in 2013.
The organization is a non-profit
501(c)(3)
A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 50 ...
organization that works to connect, lead, and empower
women in science
The presence of women in science spans the earliest times of the history of science wherein they have made significant contributions. Historians with an interest in gender and science have researched the scientific endeavors and accomplishments ...
. It does so through offering grants,
award
An award, sometimes called a distinction, is something given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration.
An awar ...
s, and
fellowship
A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context.
In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements.
Within the context of higher education ...
s; cultivating a powerful international network of women scientists; holding annual conferences and sponsoring additional
meetings and symposia; publishing a free monthly newsletter; and promoting the participation and representation of women in science-related events. Membership is open to anyone, regardless of sex, who has at least a
bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...
in a scientific discipline.
The GWIS National Meeting is held annually in June and is hosted by a local chapter.
Mission
Building a global community to inspire, support, recognize, and empower women in science.
History
GWIS was established in 1921 at Cornell University by a group of women pursuing graduate degrees in the sciences, interested in the status of women in scientific fields, and interested in building a social network for women in science. Initially, the organization was formally named the Sigma Delta Epsilon Graduate Women's Scientific Fraternity—SDE for short. In 1922, SDE joined forces with women at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, voting and accepting its National Constitution, thus establishing the organization as a national organization.
The first National Convention was held in 1922.
In 1931, GWIS established its Formal Fellowships Fund, and the First Research Fellowship was awarded in 1941 to Frances Dorris-Humm, PhD at Yale University studying experimental embryology.
In 1970, the
Eloise Gerry
Eloise Gerry (January 12, 1885 – 1970) was an influential research scientist whose early 20th century work contributed greatly to the study of southern pine trees and turpentine production. Gerry was the first woman appointed to the profession ...
Fellowship Fund, the first of the GWIS fellowships funded by a single individual rather than by fundraising and small membership contributions, was established.
who co-developed the Rubella vaccine was elected National President in 1972.
List of Chapters
* Auburn, AL
* Boston, MA
* Central Kentucky
* Chapter-At-Large
* Chicago
* Eastern North Carolina
* Eastern South Dakota
* Greater Maryland
* Hawaii
* Hershey, PA
* International Chapter
* Iowa City, IA
* Ithaca, NY
* Los Angeles, CA
* Madison, WI
* Mid-Michigan
* National Capital
* New York City Metro
* Northern Colorado
* Orange County, CA
* Philadelphia, PA
* Research Triangle, NC
* Richmond, VA
* San Diego, CA
* State College, PA
* Twin Cities, MN
References
External links
Official website
Organizations for women in science and technology
Organizations established in 1921
Student organizations in the United States
1921 establishments in New York (state)
Non-profit organizations based in Massachusetts
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